Women's Basketball

Stonehill Avenges Loss, Advances To Second Round

PHILADELPHIA – Stonehill College avenged three losses this season to The College of Saint Rose women’s basketball team by scoring the final five points of the contest to take a 62-58 victory in a first round game of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championships that was played on the campus of Holy Family University.

The Golden Knights (20-11), who had taken five of the last six meetings between the two clubs prior to this evening’s match-up, grabbed a 58-57 lead following two free throws by senior forward Ashley Anderson with 1:48 to go. However, senior guard Bethany Tighe nailed a 3-pointer on the other end that put the Skyhawks (21-8) up two, 60-58.

It remained a one possession ballgame for the next minute. Finally, Saint Rose freshman forward Ali Johnson secured a missed jumper by Stonehill junior guard Megan Methvento put the Golden Knights in position to draw up one final play. Unfortunately, Anderson was whistled for a player control foul after receiving the inbounds pass, thus turning the ball over to the Skyhawks.

“It went just the way we designed it,” said Saint Rose head coach Karen Haag. “We got the look we wanted, but unfortunately not the result.”

Now forced to put the Skyhawks on the line, Tighe promptly stepped to the stripe and buried both attempts to propel Stonehill into the regional semifinal tomorrow at 8:00 pm. The Skyhawks will meet the winner of tonight’s final contest between host second-seed Holy Family and seventh-seed Queens College.

Tonight marked the end of four exceptional Saint Rose careers for seniors Dana Brown, Lauren Revesz, Suzana Sormaz and Anderson. Brown led the Golden Knights with 17 points to go with six assists. Anderson registered her fifth “double-double” of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Sormaz added two points in seven minutes of reserve action. Revesz did not suit up for the fifth straight game after being named a finalist for the WBCA All-America Team.

Stonehill had three players in double-figures scoring led by junior forward Kelsey Simonds’ 19 points. Tighe had a “double-double” with 13 points and 11 boards, while sophomore guard Emily Rousseau added 12 points, six caroms and three assists.

The Skyhawks took their largest lead of the night, 43-32, following a free throw by sophomore guard Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, NH/New Hampton Prep) with 15:30 to go. Saint Rose did not panic, however, and embarked on a 14-2 run to go up one, 46-45, with 11:56 on the clock. Anderson converted a feed from sophomore guard Lynsey Timbrouck to cap an outburst that began with back-to-back layups by sophomore forward Amy Voelkel.

The final 12 minutes were basically a one possession affair until Tighe connected on both free throws to provide the final 62-58 margin. The Golden Knights generated 14 points off 14 Stonehill turnovers throughout the final 20 minutes and held a 16-6 edge in the paint over that span. Both clubs made 21 field goals in the game, including five “threes”. The Skyhawks outscored Saint Rose 15-11 at the foul line, which proved to be the deciding factor.